Dating can be tough... But it can also be wonderful depending upon how well your radar is refined in looking out for yourself, having a good idea of what you want out of it, what you are looking for in another person and what your long-term goal is: just fun, long-term relationship or marriage. How well it goes for you also depends upon how well you can assess the character of the other person and an understanding of what makes good relationships tick. Because dating is so ego-involved, it's very easy to take what happens in the first initial dates personally and lose perspective. It's also easy to feel pushed into settling for less than what you want or, because your dazzled by good looks and charm, not seeing and going for the gem that's right before your eyes and is very interested in you.